Fresh look needed for Oswestry tourism, councillors warn
A fresh look at how Oswestry provides tourist information is needed to ensure visitors to the town get the best from their time in the area, it has been warned.
Town councillors are to meet with Oswestry Borderland Tourism and contact the new Business Improvement District team to discuss the future of tourism and visitors.
Retailer and town councillor Mike Coppock says that while Oswestry may not be a tourism destination, it draws thousands of visitors in as the main town in a tourist area.
The town's amenities committee of the town council was told that the numbers using the Oswestry Visitor and Exhibition Centre had declined over the past three years.
In August just over 850 people visited the centre compared to just under 1,200 in2017 and 1,300 in 2016.
The centre, owned by the council, is managed by the tourism group.
Broader view
A report to the committee from assistant town clerk, Arren Roberts, said: "Oswestry Borderland Tourism and the coffee shop are making a concerted effort to attract visitors and are playing a key role in the Heritage Open Days. OBT plays a wider role in promoting tourism than just the centre."
Councillor Duncan Kerr called for a meeting. He said: "We need to think about how we present Oswestry to the public and take a broader view of how we are providing tourist information, such as using touch screens and other technology."
Mayor, Councillor Sandy Best, said: "We have tried every possible way to look at tourism and whether it is the responsibility of this council I don't know. Oswestry is not a tourist town - it is not a Llangollen."
Councillor Coppock said: "You can not define this town. It may not be a tourist destination in its own right but as a town within a tourism area it certainly attracts visitors."
Oswesty Town Council's role in attracting visitors was praised by Councillors Steve Mason and Mike Isherwood who pointed out that events such as Christmas Live and the recent balloon festival drew in thousands.